Flying top



R. A. PITTON FLYING TOP July 16, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 29, 1955 INVENTOR. ROBERT A- PITTON July 1957 R. A. PITT ON 2,799,120

FLYING TOP Filed Aug. 29, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 E INVENTOR.

31% l 9 Fzg.fiA- ROBERT A. Pn'ron Y 5 AI'IJMFX R. A. PITTON July 16, 1957 FLYING TOP 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 29, 1955 INVENTOR.

- ROBERT A- PITTON July 16, 1957 R. A. PITTON 2,799,

FLYING TOP I Filed Aug. 29, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. ROBERT A PITTON ATTORNEY FLYING TOP Robert A. Pitton, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application August 29, 1955, Serial No. 530,940

4 Claims. (Cl. 46-985) The present invention relates to toys and, more particularly, to a toy which is in essence both a spinning top and a helicopter rotor fixedly connected to the top and adapted, responsive to the spinning of the top about an axis common both to said top and rotor, to lift the top into the air for a short height, the device settling slowly to the ground as the speed of rotation diminishes. V

The main object of the present invention is to provide an attractive and amusing toy of the type referred to which will be given lift responsive to the imparting of rotatable movement to the device by means controlled by a user.

A more specific object of the invention is to incorporate in the construction a means for imparting an additional initial upward thrust as well as a bouncing action to the top asit strikes the ground on its descent, so as nited States Patent to cause the top to reciprocate up and down until its momentum is spent.

Another object of importance is to, in at least one form of the invention, utilize the means for imparting bouncing motion to the top as the means for spinning the top and giving it an initial impetus in an upward direction, the helicopter "blades then assuming the function-of imparting additional lift to the device.

A further object of importance is to provide,in association with the helicopter blades, annular guard means that will serve to protect the blades against breakage, in the event the top should tilt laterally in any direction as it reaches the ground.

..Further objects of importance are to provide a top as described which can be manufactured at relatively low cost, can be made of any of various relatively light but strong materials. such as plastic, aluminum, etc., and will be rugged, particularly shaped to withstand heavy shocks, and formed in such a manner as to be usable with a minimum of difficulty by youngchildren as well as by older children and adults.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig.

1, thedotted lines showing the position of the parts immediately prior to releasing the top for rotation and movement into the air. v Fig. 4 is an enlarged, detail sectional view on line 4-4 of Fig.3. i l

' Fig-5 is an, enlarged, fragmentary perspective view showing the connection of the blades to the associated guard ring. 1

areduced-side elevational view showing the 2,799,120 Patented July 16, 1 957 ice 2 top as it appears in use, immediately prior to imparting rotatable movement thereto.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, perspective view of the plunger of the top, per se.

Fig. 8 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section of a modified construction, portions being broken away. 7

Fig. 8A is a detail plan view of the supporting base of Fig. 8.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary view partly in section and partly in side elevation of the tipped portion of the form of top shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a third modification. Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view on line 1111 of Fig. 10, the dotted lines showing the position of the parts immediately priorto releasing the top.

' Fig. 12 is a sectional view on line 1212 of Fig. 11.

I Fig. 13 is a fragmentary detail view of a landing wheel.

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 8 of a fourth modification. i V

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 11 embodying the landing wheel of Fig. 13. i

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-7, the top includes a body generally designated 10, formed from any suitable material such as aluminum, plastic, etc., and having a top portion 12 formed in the shape of a low frustum of a cone, and integral or otherwise made rigid at its periphery with a substantially hemispherical lower portion 14. The body is made hollow, for lightness, and in the center of the upper portion is formed with an axially disposed tubular guide sleeve 16 extending within the body and open at its upper end. The lower portion '14 is integral with a tubular guide sleeve 18 coaxial with the present instance four blades are used, angularly spaced apart, but the number may be increased or decreased as desired.

At their outer ends, blades 20 are secured to a protective guard ring 22 by ears 24 integrally formed on the blades and riveted at 26 to the ring. Alternating with the blades, and spaced 90 apart about the axis of rotation of the top body, are radial braces 28 fixedly securedat their opposite ends to the body and ring respectively. I At its inner end, guide sleeve 16 is formed with an end wall 30, having a diametrically extending slot 32 in which is loosely engaged a spirally twisted rod 34 extending axially through the top and projecting at its upper end out of and beyond the upper guide sleeve 16,- the projecting end of the rod being imbedded in a tapered knob 36.

Sliding in the lower guide sleeve 18 is a tubular plunger 38 formed at its inner end with an outwardly directed collar or flange 40 engageable against the inner end of the guide sleeve 18 to limit axial movement of the plunger in a direction outwardly of the top body.

The plunger projects at its lower end through the lower end of the guide 18, and the projecting end of the plunger is formed with a conical head 42 providing a tip on which the top may spin, and enlarged at its base relative to the outer diameter of the plunger so as to define on the plunger a circumferential shoulder 44 against which abuts one end of a coiled compression spring 46 circumposed about the plunger and abutting at its opposite ends against the lower end of the lower portion 14 of the body.

- In use, the parts will normally appear as. shown infull lines in Fig. 3. To spin the top and cause the same to be lifted into the air, the user grasps the knob as shown in Fig. 6, with the head 42 engaged against a supporting surface. Then, the user exerts a strong downward pressure on the knob, pushing the rod downwardly so as to cause the body of the top to be given rotatable movement. It is desirable that the rod be pushed downwardly and lifted up several times until a relatively high speed is obtained, and then as the rod reaches its lower position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, the user releases the same, leaving the top spinning on the supporting surface.

When the knob reaches the lower or dotted line position of Fig. 3, the lower end of the rod will have moved into the plunger, so that the plunger cooperates with the upper guide sleeve in maintaining the rod in a vertical position, that is, in a position in which it extends axially of the top, while the top is beingspun. It may be noted that the downward pressure exerted on the knob will cause a corresponding downward pressure to be exerted upon the top body, causing the spring to be compressed and the plunger to move inwardly of the body as shown in Fig. 3.

As soon as the rod is released, the top will lift into the air for a short height, due to the fact that the rotating helicopter blades are pitched so as to be given lift during the rotatable movement of the top and also because of the upward pressure of the plunger when its coiled compression spring is released suddenly, with the release of the rod handle. The top thus lifts into the air while rapidly rotating, and as the speed of rotation diminishes, will settle slowly to the ground. As it reaches the ground, the plunger will move inwardly of the body against the 4 it down. This prevents displacement of the top when being turned by the cord.

In Figs. 10-12, another modified form is shown, generally designated at 68 and including a body formed with an upwardly dished or concavo-convexo upper portion 70 integrally formed at its periphery with a depending flange 72 to which are fixedly secured radial, pitched blades 74 angularly spaced 90 apart and alternating with radial braces 76, the blades and braces being connected at their outer ends to a guard ring 78.

A spiral or conical spring 80 constitutes the lower portion of the body, and has a planiform top convolution 82 engaged in a downwardly facing, circumferentially extending groove 84 provided in the upper portion 70 of the body at the margin of the same. Tabs 86 are struck inwardly out of the material of flange 72, at locations angularly spaced about the periphery of the body 90 apart (Fig. 12) and engage under the top spring convolution to secure the same to the upper portion 70 of the body. A landing wheel 87 is carried by a bracket 89 fastened to the lowermost convolution to reduce friction (see Fig. 13).

Extending downwardly from the top convolution 82 is a short connecting part 88 of the spring, merging into the spirally coiled portion of the spring.

At the center of the upper portion 70' there is formed a diametrically extending, short slot 90 (Fig. 12) through which extends a spirally twisted rod 92 the lower end of restraint of the spring, so that the top will bounce one In Figs. 8 and 9 there is shown a modified form of top generally designated 48 including a body portion 50 having a top part formed in the shape of a shallow cone, merging at its base into a conically tapered lower portion 52. The lower portion 52 is integral with a tubular guide sleeve 18' in which a tubular plunger 38' is slidably mounted, with a stop flange 40 at one end and with a conical head 42' at its outer end. A- coiled spring 46' around the plunger holds the lower portion 52 away from head 42. The top part is integrally formed at its apex with an upwardly projecting, headed knob 54 providing a finger rest, and at the extremity of the lower portion 52 there is integrally formed a circumferential shoulder 58 to permit winding of a cord 60 about the lower portion 52 in the manner shown in Fig. 8.

The helicopter rotor means of Figs. 8 and 9 is-similar to thatof the first form, including suitably pitched, radial, wide'blades 62 angularly spaced 90 apart and fixed at their outer ends to a guard ring 64. Radial braces 66 alternate with and are spaced equidistantly from the several blades 62.

In use of this form, the cord is pulled in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 8, to impart spinning movement to the top, and when the cord is pulled free of the body portion, the user at the same time lifts his finger from the knob 54. The top is now free to rise, the spring pressed plunger 38 imparting an upward thrust aiding the rotor whereby the top will ascend into the air a short distance, bouncing up and down and settling slowly to the ground as the speed of rotation decreases. The spring pressed plunger also serves as a shock absorber.

It is desirable that a portable circular base 56 supported on one end of an elongated strip 56 of rigid material be used with this form. The base has a central V-shaped depression 57' conforming to the shape of head 42. head is placed in the depression and the footof the user may be placed on theother end of the'strip 56' to anchor The which is embedded in a weighted base 94 adapted to seat against a supporting surface.

In this form of the invention, the user holds the base stationary and rotates the body of the top in a direction to lower the upper part 70 of the body from the full to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 11, the spring compressing into a wholly fiat condition in which it is fully recessed in the upper portion 70, when said upper portion is brought to the lower limit of its travel. Alternatively, the body 68 can be grasped in one hand, and one may rotate the base 94 of rod 92 with the other hand, to bring the rod and body of the top into the relationship shown in dotted lines in Fig. 11.

When the top has been fully lowered into juxtaposition to the base 94, the base is positioned upright on a supporting surface as shown in Fig. 11. The user now releases the body of the top, and the spring, held under full compression between the upper portion 70 of the body and the base 94 of the rod, is now free to expand, and will exert a strong upward pressure on the body 70, causing the same to rotate with the spring at high speed about the rod axis, with the result that the top will be given a high velocity spinning motion, traveling upwardly oil the upper end of the rod 92.

In this form of the invention, the lift afforded by the pitched helicopter blades while the top is rotating and traveling upwardly along the rod 92 is supplemented by the expanding action of the spring, thus propelling the top into the air with an initially great force. When the spring is fully expanded, the continued rotatable movement of the top is accompanied by further lift, now provided entirely by the lifting action of the helicopter blades. Eventually, as the speed of rotation diminishes below a value sufiicient to cause further ascension, the upward movement of the top is halted, and it settles slowly to the ground.

The modified form of the invention shown in Fig. 14 difiers from the form of Figs. 8 and 9 in that the top portion 50" of the top body is formed with a central slot 95 through which extends a spirally twisted rod 92", the lower end of which extends through a slot 96 in the head 42" of the tubular plunger 38" and is embedded in a weighted base 94" supported on one end of an elongated'strip 56".

In using this form of the invention, the base 94" is held'stationar'y'and'the cord 60" is pulled in the direction of-the arrow'shown in Fig. 14, to impart spinning movement to the topcausing the top with the helicopter blades 62" to rotate at high speed about the rod axis, with the result that the top will be given a high velocity spinning motion, traveling upwardly off of the. upper end of'the rod 92" into the air, the helicopter bladesbeing pitched to afford a lift to the top during the spinning action. The spring pressed plunger 38" acts as a shock absorber during the up and down movements upon the ground of the top in coming to a stop.

In all forms of the invention, there is the common characteristic wherein the helicopter rotor has a fixed connection to the rotatable body portion of the top, with means being provided to effect rotatable movement of the body of the top, so as to cause the helicopter blades to lift the top into the air.

Also in all forms spring pressed means is used to impart an upward thrust to the top.

It will be understood that the guard ring is used as a safety measure against injury to the user or other persons, and also as a stabilizing factor, aerodynamically speaking, as the top passes through the air.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a flying top, a top body, a helicopter rotor having a fixed connection to the body so as to rotate therewith and adapted when rotated to lift the body into the air, and means in engagement with the body for rotating the same including a spirally twisted rod, said rotor including a plurality of radial, pitched blades angularly spaced equal distances apart about the axis of rotation of the body, said rotor further including a protective ring concentric with the body, the blades being fixedly connected between the ring and body, said rotor additionally including a plurality of radial braces fixedly connected between the ring and body and alternating with the blades in a direction circumferentially of the rotor, said body having an upwardly bulged upper portion with said blades and braces radiating from the marginal part of said upper portion, and a downwardly tapering lower portion fixedly connected at its upper end to said marginal part of the upper portion, said rod being formed at its lower extremity with a supporting-surface-engaging base, the lower portion of the body being formed as a spring adapted for compression between the upper portion of the body and said base of the rod, thus to lift the body upwardly along the rod responsive to expansion of the spring, for rotating the body while simultaneously propelling the same into the air.

2. In a flying top, a top body, a helicopter rotor having a fixed connection to the body so as to rotate therewith and adapted when rotated to lift the body into the air, and means in engagement with the body for rotating the same including a spirally twisted rod, said rotor including a plurality of radial, pitched blades angularly spaced equal distances apart about the axis of rotation of the body, said rotor further including a protective ring concentric with the body, the blades being fixedly connected between the ring and body, said rotor additionally including a plurality of radial braces fixedly connected between the ring and body and alternating with the blades in a direction circumferentially of the rotor, said body having an upwardly bulged upper portion with said blades and braces radiating from the marginal part of said upper portion, and a downwardly tapering lower portion fixedly connected at its upper end to said marginal part of the upper portion, said rod being formed at its lower extremity with a supporting-surface-engaging base, the lower portion of the body being formed as a spring adapted for compression between the upper portion of the body and said base of the rod, thus to lift the'body upwardly along the rod responsive to expansion of the spring, for rotating the body while simultaneously propelling the same into the ,air,the upperportion of the body being formed with a downwardly facing, circumferential groove, the spring having a top convolution engaging in said groove.

3. In a flying top, a top body, a helicopter rotor having a fixed connection to the body so as to rotate therewith and adapted when rotated to lift the body into the air, and means in engagement with the body for rotating the same including a spirally twisted rod, said rotor including a plurality of radial, pitched blades angularly spaced equal distances apart about the axis of rotation of the body, said rotor further including a protective ring concentric with the body, the blades being fixedly connected between the ring and body, said rotor additionally including a plurality of radial braces fixedly connected between the ring and body and alternating with the blades in a direction circumferentially of the rotor, said body having an upwardly bulged upper portion with said blades and braces radiating from the marginal part of said upper portion, and a downwardly tapering lower portion fixedly connected at its upper end to said marginal part of the upper portion, said rod being formed at its lower extremity with a supporting-surface-engaging base, the lower portion of the body being formed as a spring adapted for compression between the upper portion of the body and said base of the rod, thus to lift the body upwardly along the rod responsive to expansion of the spring, for rotating the body whilesimultaneously propelling the same into the air, the upper portion of the body being formed with a downwardly facing, circumferential groove, the spring having a top convolution engaging in said groove, said spring being adapted for compression into a substantially planiform condition in which it is recessed wholly within the upper portion of the body substantially in the plane of the groove.

4. In a flying top, a top body, a helicopter rotor having a fixed connection to the body so as to rotate therewith and adapted when rotated to lift the body into the air, and means in engagement with the body for rotating the same including a spirally twisted rod, said rotor including a plurality of radial, pitched blades angularly spaced equal distances apart about the axis of rotation of the body, said rotor further including a protective ring concentric with the body, the blades being fixedly connected between the ring and body, said rotor additionally 1nc1uding a plurality of radial braces fixedly connected between the ring and body and alternating with the blades in a direction circumferentially of the rotor, said body having an upwardly bulged upper portion with said blades and braces radiating from the marginal part of said upper portion, and a downwardly tapering lower portion fixedly connected at its upper end to said marginal part of the upper portion, said rod being formed at its lower extremity with a supporting-surface-engaging base, the lowor portion of the body being formed as a spring adapted for compression between the upper portion of the body and said base of the rod, thus to lift the body upwardly along the rod responsive to expansion of the spring, for rotating the body while simultaneously propelling the same into the air, upper portion of the body being formed with a downwardly facing, circumferential groove, the spring having a top convolution engaging in said groove, said spring being adapted for compression into a substantially planiform condition in which it is recessed Whol- 1y within the upper portion of the body substantially in the plane of the groove, and a landing wheel suspended from the lowermost convolution of the spring.

(References on following page) 7 References; Cited. inihe file; ofi: thispatentl 2162.4, 153 UNITED STATES PATENTS- 39638-396 191,246. M6128 May. 29', 1877 974,731 Winzer Ndv..1', 1910 r 1,167,507 Lloyd Jan. 11, 1916 1,222,996 Rhodes Apr. 17, 1917 l 1,264,733 Williams, A1 11 30,1918

8 Johnson et a1; Jan. 6, 1953. 'Nagler- Sep t. 7, 19,54

FOREIGN PATENTS Italy Julyr13,-. 1933 Switzerland Feb. 16, 1949 

